Into The Blue
by A Weaver

Comment by Swashbuckler:
Sharp picture, but the cloud colors seem odd. I'm seeing rosy hues, but it doesn't look like sunset timing. The tail of the plane gets lost in the clouds. 6 Rob the Swash

Into The Blue
by A Weaver

Comment by kiwiness:
Good composition. I don't particularly like the magenta tinges in the sky though, youcould have removed those in Photoshop.

Into The Blue
by A Weaver

Comment by justine:
Looks pretty blah and I think that is due to the lack of light on the plane. I don't think this is bad at all, just doesn't pop! Hope that makes sense to you. You did hit the challenge on the head.

Into The Blue
by A Weaver

Comment by Spork99:
Nice sky, but the plane is too dark

Into The Blue
by A Weaver

Comment by BobsterLobster:
Hmm, very much 'out of the blue' unless it's going tail first. I'd have liked a little more detail in the sky. The plane is already sillhouetted, so you didn't need to over-expose this much. 5

Into The Blue
by A Weaver

Comment by faidoi:
Great sky shot. The bold silhouette of the plane in flight makes for a great composition. Beautiful colors in the clouds. A little contrast and levels work may make them fluffier.

Support & Defend
by A Weaver

Comment by frisca:
Hi Aubrey! Greetings from the Critique Club!

A very touching shot that I'm happy to offer some extra comments on.

Colour, Composition, Contrast:

Here is where I think the shot lost a lot of potential impact. I don't mind the "from behind" view because it gives that solider any "any GI" sort of feel, like we could all know him as a cousin, brother, son, etc. However, that sky..my my, its got to go! a pure white sky never ever looked great, and here, its just overpowering the shot, blending in with the flag pool and generally messing with the colours of the shot. The rest of the colours seem very muted. I get the feeling you may have desaturated all channels but the red and blue a little to make the flag stick out more..which is a great idea, and has its own impact, but as its not entirely clear that you did indeed do that, either it needs to be done more or in a different way. The flag certainly does stick out though. What is odd to me is that there is colour in his clothes, but not in the grass, it just makes the shot seem a unnatural in an odd way. And it makes our solider blend in with the trees, which mutes the impact.

I disgree with the comments that this less freedom than it is patriotism. While saluting a flag is very patriotic, being an American flag, the shot says to me "these guys fight for freedom" at least in principle. (i'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to politics, but I don't fault the soliders for where they are deployed and ordered to fight, etc).

Focus and lighting: Most of my comments above cover what I think for these two areas. I have no problems with the focus, certainly a different DOF may have been employed, but what you have done is beyond reproach, and I think it works fine. The light... oye, again with the very bright white sky, it completely dominates the shot and takes away from its message.

Hope these comments help you! Happy shooting!

Pam

Stack 'o' pens
by A Weaver

Comment by lightbulbsmile:
this shot is perfect! coloring, unusual perspective lighting, composition. it has it all!

"Down Time"
by A Weaver

Comment by faidoi:
The picture is a bit overexposed. This picture is extremely authentic. You were able to capture some really beautiful shadows in this piece. This really brings out the objects in this shot.

Support & Defend
by A Weaver

Comment by xhoss:
well composed - a little bright imo - but a good shot.